International Football History and Statistics

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On this day in football history

1931 Glasgow Rangers signed Sam English, a centre forward from junior club Yoker Athletic. He went into the first team at the start of following season and at the end of it had scored 44 goals in 35 League games and won a Scottish Cup winners' medal. At the beginning of September 1931 in one of his first matches as a senior, John Thomson, Celtic and Scotland goalkeeper, dived at his feet to make a save and sustained head injuries from which he died that same evening. Although English was exonorated of all blame the effects of the tradegy affected his play and he never enjoyed the same success as in his first season. He had one more year with Rangers winning a League championship medal and then moved to Liverpool at the start of the season 1933-34. Two years at Anfield, one with Queen of the South and two with Hartlepools United and by the summer of 1938 his first class career was over. His final record was 113 goals in 201 matches in the Scottish and Football Leagues. An Irishman from Coleraine he played in 2 internationals during 1932-33.

1932 W.F. McNaughton, Gateshead centre forward was signed by Hull City. Began his senior career with Northampton Town in 1928 but had few opportunities and joined Gateshead during the 1930 close season. At the end of his first season with Hull he had won a Third Division North medal and set a club scoring record with 39 goals. Was transferred to Stockport County just after the start of season 1934-35 and drifted out of League football in 1936. He scored a total of 135 League goals in 208 matches.

1952 Jesse Pye, Wolverhampton Wanderers centre forward, transferred to Luton Town. Given a free transfer by Sheffield United just before the Second War he joined Notts County and it was from this club that Wolves signed him in 1946 after he had appeared for England in the victory international against Belgium. Won an FA Cup medal with the Midland club in 1949 when he scored 2 goals in a 3-1 win over Leicester City. His only full international was in 1950 against Eire at Goodison Park when England were beaten for the first time at home by a country outside the British Isles. In 1954 he moved to Derby County and 3 years later became manager of Wisbech Town. He had played in 309 peace-time League games and scored 145 goals.

1974 In the World Cup Final between West Germany and Holland in Munich a penalty was awarded for the first time by English referee John Taylor. Johan Neeskens scored from the spot, becoming the first player to do so in a World Cup Final. Later in the match West Germany were also awarded a spot kick, which was converted by Paul Breitner. West Germany won the match 2-1

1982 Bobby Robson appointed England manager.